Romance in Ireland: Top 5 V-Day Activities

With the open spaces and plenty of city attractions, Ireland is a perfect choice for a Valentines break. There are ample activities and attractions to keep the lovebirds busy.

Fly below the Cliffs of Moher

Starting on the west coast, opt for an affordable hotel room at the local Travelodge in Galway and venture out to the Cliffs of Moher. Enjoy a romantic helicopter ride around the cliffs, for a truly unforgettable experience, while also giving you a perfect setup for a trip to the Aran Islands.

Visit the Giant’s Causeway

If you’re planning on visiting Northern Ireland, be sure to check in on the Giant’s Causeway. It’s not just an impressive geological feature; Irish folklore suggests that Finn MacCool built the causeway to use as stepping stones to Scotland, to reach his lover, a Scottish giantess. How romantic!

The Home of St Valentine

With the help of Travelodge's Central Dublin hotel, you’ll be in the heart of the city and aptly placed for a Valentine’s Day to remember, with a whole host of attractions to enjoy.
Although many cynics believe that the relics were confused with those of a lesser known Saint Valentine, many others believe that the stories are true. Apparently, in the 19th century, Pope Gregory XVI gave St Valentine’s relics to the Carmelite Church in Whitefriar Street, to try and encourage Catholicism – what better place to explore on the day of love?

St Patrick’s Cathedral

Gulliver’s Travels writer, Jonathan Swift, and his beloved Stella, are buried here in the National Cathedral of Ireland. Having written much of his prose for his true love, discovering his resting place could make an, albeit a little morbid, visit on the Feast of Saint Valentine.

Take a Stroll along the South Wall

There’s nothing more romantic than a leisurely stroll with your loved one, taking in the fresh air and enjoying your surroundings. Step out into Dublin Bay and wander along the South Wall. At the end you will find Poolbeg Lighthouse and some truly awe inspiring sights of the Wicklow Mountains, Dublin Bay and the Hill of Howth; an even better experience if you’re the only ones there.

Enjoy what Ireland has to offer, with its breathtaking landscapes, intimate restaurants and romantic walks; it makes a perfect break for Valentine’s Day.

Head for the Waters: Top Watersports Resorts

If you’re planning to head for the water in 2013, summer is the time to do it. Whether you choose a beach club as your base or you opt instead for a lakeside retreat, such as one of the Italian lakes holidays on offer, you’ll be sure to be at the heart of the action.

Watersports holidays are an extremely popular choice for many outdoors enthusiasts. Where you choose depends on what sports you are interested in, but as long as you have sun, water and thrills, you can’t really go far wrong.

Lake Garda

Far from being a beach club retreat, Lake Garda in the north of Italy is incredibly popular with thrillseekers. The northern town of Torbole is a central hub for watersports fans, and the excellent wind conditions provide an idyllic opportunity for windsurfers and kitesurfers. Kayaking and sailing are equally popular in the area, and as the largest lake in Italy, there’s ample space.

Adakoy

As the base for yachts and sailing trips and also providing perfect conditions for watersports including kayaking, windsurfing and snorkelling, Adakoy in Turkey is an absolute must see. Whether it’s the crystal clear waters or the golden sands that entice you, you can’t go far wrong with Turkish beach clubs, and Adakoy is one of the best.

Sivota

A perfect base for a day sail excursion, giving you the option to relax on deck or explore the local surroundings. Cool off in the azure waters, where you can swim or snorkel, or head for one of the sheltered bays to sign up for a watersport experience, such as waterskiing, wakeboarding or dinghy sailing.

Whether it’s a lake or an ocean that appeals for your 2013 sojourn, start planning your vacation online now and take advantage of any savings to be had. 

Masquerade AMA-CLC Christmas Party '12

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Cruise Holidays: Magical Mediterranean

So you're after a Mediterranean holiday. If that's as far as you've got with your holiday plans and you can't quite decide where to stay, why not consider a Mediterranean cruise? Whether you're a tentative first-timer or a seasoned regular, you'll soon find that a cruise is the perfect way to explore this beautiful corner of the world.

Rather than settling for one location throughout your holiday, you'll be whisked from one magical destination to another, with plenty of time to discover the sights and tick off each new place as you go. And what an itinerary! On 7-night Mediterranean Cruises you could take in no less than half a dozen different destinations, with time to spend in each new city or port. With Royal Caribbean International for instance, you'll find various Eastern Mediterranean cruises - one of which calls at six different destinations including Marseille in France, Barcelona and Valencia in Spain, Palma in Majorca, and Rome and Genoa in Italy. How's that for a Mediterranean holiday?

What's great about cruising is that all of your dining, accommodation and facilities are usually included in the upfront cost of the holiday, so all you have to do is turn up and enjoy yourself. Although it might seem a little more expensive than your average package holiday, when you consider the all-inclusive nature of cruises - not to mention the sheer range of destinations you'll visit - it's actually pretty reasonable. On top of that you'll always find special offers and discounts too. Some of the best cruise deals can be found by looking for last-minute departures - typically leaving within the next few weeks - while other discountsare available on early bird deals for next summer or winter.

If you're looking for a magical holiday that will live with you long after you return home, a Mediterranean cruise could be right up your street.

Visited The Kamay Ni Jesus in Lucban Quezon

Two years ago my best friend in Lucena mentioned if I wanted to visit the Kamay ni Jesus (literal translation: Hands of Jesus) Shrine in Lucban Quezon and I always replied next time.

Finally, after two years I visited the place unplanned. :) I thought we will just hear the mass at the Cathedral in Lucena. The Sun was so bright when we are ascending to reach the top where the Kamay ni Jesus Statue was situated. However, when we reached the top, the breeze started blowing gently and the weather become gloomy. Then, while taking pictures the shower begun pouring until it becomes rain, unfortunately we don't have an umbrella and we don't have a choice but to run going back to the Church, wheewwww....

See the pictures below.

cassava cake

Pancit habhab - my bestfriend said this is the specialty of Lucban.

I took the picture while raining.

this plant is cute, because the fruit looks like a berry. 

How To get To Kamay ni Jesus:

If you don't have a service/car and if you are from Manila there are many bus stations bound to Lucena but on my part my choice is Araneta Cubao Bus Terminal Station. I always ride at Lucena lines, but there are other buses like JAC liner, and JAM transit. The fare is 223.00 php but since I'm a student I'm 20% off. :)

The other terminal station are Buendia, Kamias, and Alabang. Just tell the conductor to drop you at the Lucena Grand Terminal then, from there get a jeepney going to Lucban and inform the driver to drop you at the Kamay ni Jesus Shrine.

Wandering to Manila Aimlessly

It's been quite sometimes that I haven't posted here. But anyway, below are the pictures I have taken during our Semestral break when my friends and I wandered in Metro Manila aimlessly. :D We ride at LRT 2 in Santolan Station bound to Recto Station and from there we ride at LRT 1 in Doroteo Station bound to Baclaran and get off at U.N. Avenue Station. If you want to have a family bonding I could say this is the best place to bring your family at the Rizal Park or known by it's previous name Luneta Park but in our Elementary history books we known this as Bagumbayan where Rizal was executed. I could say this is the best place to escape and unwind and what I love most was there is NO ENTRANCE FEE but above all this park is clean and well maintained.

my two cute friends posing at Lapu-Lapu Monument

The building in Panorama magazine.

Welcome to Intramuros - We just walked from Luneta Park to Intramuros until our feet ached and blistered but it's fun if you are together with your friends.

Intramuros is the old capital of Manila that was built in 1571 by the Spaniards upon their occupation of Manila when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was in power.

We ask the guardia civil if we could take a picture together with him. 

The Manila Cathedral was closed during our visit because it was under renovation.

meet the Gomborza!

old canyon.

The Fort Santiago - the guard of Intramuros

Mi Ultimo Adiós (by Dr José Rizal) written on the wall and on the floor.

Before going to Manila zoo we drop by at Harizon plaza and have our lunch. Manila Zoo is poorly maintained. :( Way back in 1999 this zoo was well maintained and the animals are well cared. Now, the animals are skinny especially the tigers and it seems they are sick and unhappy. If they cannot take care the animals it would be better if they shut down the zoo and send the animals to a better place where they can be feed properly and live happily. They should clean the place 'coz it lack of cleanliness.

This souvenir shop was the one I have enjoyed here in Manila zoo.

Heavy Rain Caused Disaster in Metro Manila

When I was a kid I love rain because I love playing, bathing and dancing in the rain. That was the most happiest memory of my childhood. When the rain comes we always prayed that it will shower abundantly so that my playmates and I can ask our parents to let us bathe in the rain.

But the rain that poured for more than 3 weeks most especially this week starting on Monday August 6, 2012 until Thursday makes me hate the rain. :( I don't want to complain because I know there are people who are suffering more than me, there are families who lost their love ones, their property but I just couldn't understand my feeling that time. Maybe because I was so tired, and all the feeling mixed everything. I'm glad my neighbor help me, they are my angel.

I took this when our landlord was rescued and brought to the hospital on Wednesday August 8, 2012

The water subsided for almost 1 ruler 08-08-2012.

 

Marikina River took on Tuesday August 7, 2012

This stair has 38 steps but now it has the remaining 11 steps.